Distracted Driving and First Responders
When contemplating the potential risk of injury in a car accident, most people probably don’t think about the fact that drivers and passengers are not the only ones at risk of injury in car accidents. Instead, and sadly, the men and women who respond to car accidents to provide assistance and investigate also face risks – especially when distracted driving is involved.
What Example of a First Responder Car Accident Tragedy Was Recently in the News?
CBS Miami News 4 recently reported that a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy has died following an on-duty crash in Deerfield Beach while acting as a first responder. The accident report reportedly happened while the deputy and another officer, driving separate vehicles, were responding to an early morning domestic violence call. Both officers were headed southbound and approaching an intersection when the deputy involved in the accident entered the intersection first and collided with a Toyota Tundra pickup truck that was headed eastbound. Pictures indicate that both the deputy’s SUV cruiser and the pickup truck had heavy damage. While the deputy perished in the accident, the person in the pickup truck survived the crash and was transported to Broward Health North where authorities say he has been stabilized with injuries that are considered non-life threatening.
The Recent Study That Suggests Distracted Drivers Are an Increasing Threat to First Responders
Tragically, the results of a recent study undertaken by the National Safety Council demonstrates that many drivers are profoundly distracted by their phones when they’re going past first responders working accidents on the roadways. For example, over 70 percent of drivers admitted to taking photos and texting while driving right by emergency workers. And while the Sunshine State along with essentially every other state has a “move over” law that requires drivers to give first responders space, authorities report that only about half of drivers nationwide actually do so.
What Should I Do if Involved in an Accident With a First Responder?
- Do not admit fault.
- Never leave the scene of the accident without calling 911.
- Obtain needed emergency help for yourself and anyone else at the scene.
Allow Us to Focus on You.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving a first responder, you need legal help. With any kind of car accident where you are a victim, having an expensive ierienced legal team on your side to fight for you can help make the process of obtaining the compensation that you deserve much easier and faster. Additionally, you should understand that under Florida law, you may have legal options even if you were involved in an accident by yourself. The Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm have helped many people in similar circumstances figure out how to proceed following a car accident and we offer the legal help you need to be successful with your claim. Contact us for help today.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Tampa, Bradenton, Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
miami.cbslocal.com/2019/07/21/broward-sheriffs-deputy-killed-early-morning-crash/
https://www.pendaslaw.com/should-i-talk-to-an-insurance-adjuster-after-a-car-accident/
